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Tuesday, January 8, 2013

The Unseen 1960s-Era Beatles Photos by Henry Grossman

For the past four decades, most of the images in Henry Grossman’s Beatles archive — a staggering 7,000 photographs shot between 1964 and 1968 – were never published or made available for purchase. As a measure of its historical significance, Henry's Beatles work was the subject of a major piece in The New York Times on January 1st.

Today, thanks to our ongoing collaboration with this accomplished photojournalist, Rock Paper Photo announces the exclusive release of a new collection of limited edition prints documenting some of the most intimate moments with the band members captured by any photographer. Each image can be purchased online as an archival pigment print, numbered and hand-signed by Henry Grossman.

Henry’s portraits of world leaders and cultural icons have appeared on the covers of Time, Life and Paris-Match. His close relationship with The Beatles began in early 1964 when he photographed the band’s historic performance on The Ed Sullivan Show. By 1965, he had become a trusted friend and companion, traveling with the group to The Bahamas and Austria during the filming of "Help!" Over the next three years he was invited into their homes in the UK where he photographed them time and again.

Rock Paper Photo’s new collection contains many previously unseen gems. Favorites include images of John flashing the “peace” sign riding a skateboard during a break in film production, and George at home aside his beloved Aston Martin.

Henry arranged visits with the band members on stopovers from other assignments he had in Europe. As he told The Times, their home phone numbers changed practically daily to stay one step ahead of rabid fans, so the only way for Henry to get George's "phone number du jour" was to contact the band's office. That's how trusted he was.

Formally trained in opera and theater, Henry approached the Fab Four not as a fan but as a confidante and low-key observer.

"They were accustomed to seeing me with a camera, documenting everything that went on around me," he says. "It was simply part of me, part of who I was. More than that, I had become a friend. So when I pulled out my camera, no one thought twice about it. No one cared. It wasn't seen as invasive."

Now all Beatles fans and collectors have Henry to thank for pulling off that photographic feat with such artistry and grace.

John Lennon during the filming of 'Help', Nassau, The Bahamas, 1965

George Harrison during the filming of 'Help', Nassau, The Bahamas, 1965

Paul McCartney during the filming of 'Help', Nassau, The Bahamas, 1965

John Lennon at Ringo's home, Weybridge, outside of London 1965

George Harrison during the filming of 'Help', Nassau, The Bahamas, 1965

Paul McCartney and George Harrison during the filming of 'Help', The Austrian Alps, 1965

Paul McCartney during the filming of 'Help', The Austrian Alps, 1965

The Beatles during the filming of 'Help', The Austrian Alps, 1965

Patty Boyd, Nassau, The Bahamas, 1965

The Beatles on the set of The Ed Sullivan Show, New York, February 9th, 1964

The Beatles at a press conference, New York, 1964

George Harrison, London 1965

The Beatles during the filming of 'Help', Nassau, The Bahamas, 1965

John Lennon and Ringo Starr during the filming of 'Help', Nassau, The Bahamas, 1965

John Lennon and Paul McCartney during the filming of 'Help', Nassau, The Bahamas, 1965

George Harrison during the filming of 'Help', Nassau, The Bahamas, 1965

Ringo Starr during the filming of 'Help', Nassau, The Bahamas, 1965

Paul McCartney during the filming of 'Help', Nassau, The Bahamas, 1965

John Lennon during the filming of 'Help', The Austrian Alps, 1965

John Lennon and Julian Lennon at John's home, Weybridge, Outside of London, 1965

Ringo Starr and George Harrison in front of a 'color organ' projecting psychedelic patterns at Ringo's home, Weybridge, Outside of London, 1965